Make your own hanging Christmas tree ornaments in 5 easy steps

Use simple decoupage techniques to make your own, customised Christmas ornaments.

This is a great project to tackle with the kids and a great way to add unique elements to your festive set up.

The finished size of this ornament is about 7.5 cm (3 in) across, without the loop.

7.5 cm (3 inch) styrofoam ball

Patterned tissue paper (blue-and-white snowflake patterned paper shown)

Foam plate or palette

Small flat paintbrush

Matte finish decoupage medium or clear-drying craft glue

Clear glitter

Recycled ornament cap and wire

20 cm (8 inch) length of 5 mm- (1/4 inch)-wide silver metallic ribbon

Craft glue

Scissors

Tear tissue paper into small pieces.

Use paintbrush to apply decoupage medium or clear-drying craft glue to a small area on styrofoam ball.

Place a piece of tissue paper on glued area.

Apply more medium or glue over the top of the tissue paper.

Continue to add tissue paper in this way, overlapping the pieces slightly until half of the ornament is covered.

Let dry.

Repeat on remaining half of the ornament.

Apply medium or glue to entire ornament.

While still wet, sprinkle clear glitter over.

Let dry, then tap off the excess glitter.

Apply glue to bottom of ornament cap.

Press cap firmly into top of ornament.

Let dry.

Thread ribbon through wire loop.

Tie ends in a knot to make a loop for hanging.

Sign up here to have Reader’s Digest’s favourite stories delivered straight to your inbox.